Machineboy

Early 70’s rangefinder underdog: This is a machine that goes ping!

This is one adorable camera. It’s almost exactly the same size and weight as the Olympus 35RC, but doesn’t seem to have the same legendary status. I really like the black, separate leather parts that frame the camera well. A very unusual, cool 70’s style.

Basic technical info: Shutter is 1/8-1/500 + B, f-stop 2.8 – 16, rangefinder focus (diamond shape), shutter AE, full manual override (with a small “M” symbol that pops up in viewfinder!), self timer, hot shoe, PC flash sync, ASA 50-800, light meter above lens (CdS), runs on 1.4V hearing-aid battery. The lens is a 40mm Rikenon.

The viewfinder is a bit squinty and mine should be cleaned. It shows the meter on right side. Focus ring is on the outer side of the lens, and has a 50-60 degree rotation. The diamond is not very contrasty, but it gets the job done. I have a feeling that mine is slightly front-focussing, but it might just be the shallow DOF at 2.8 combined with a slightly foggy viewfinder. The viewfinder on the Olympus 35 RC is better if you wear glasses.

It’s an easy camera to use. The ratcheted winder is very smooth, and the shutter based auto-exposure works really well. All but two photos came out well exposed on my test roll. Here are some samples:

The Rikenon 40mm lens is great. A nice, all-round width for both portraits and landscape and the lens gives very snappy, contrasty shots. Close focus is 0.9 m. I used ISO400 film, and got some useful indoor shots at 1/30. I had one accident with the camera. I thought I was shooting a 36 frame roll, but the winder suddenly stopped at 26. The problem was that the winder was halfway wound, and wouldn’t go back. I tried to nudge it, but then the film snapped. Luckily the lab could remove it in their dark room, at no expense (thanks farvelabben!) but be careful to not over-wind the film. Once the winder goes past a certain point, it won’t go back until you do a full stroke.

One funny thing with this camera is the weird sound the shutter makes. This truly is a machine that goes ping! It’s a two second chime, probably caused by some metal parts in the shutter. The shutter button is great. Well placed, big and has a nice throw that also locks the exposure. PING!

Verdict

+ great looks, compact and sturdy
+ nice, useful lens
+ manual override, meter in viewfinder
+ well placed and solid controls
+ works well with 1.4V zinc-air batteries
+ good exposure meter

- squinty viewfinder
- light seals are a bitch to replace
- winder must be wound past a certain point (film will snap if you wind past 24/36)

All in all a great, compact rangefinder. I was really pleased with the exposures and got some really cool family shots. f2.8 is average for 70’s rangefinders, but the lens is good and reasonably sharp, especially at mid aperture values. I’m excited to try out my Olympus 35 RC and the Konica C35, very similar cameras but more common. The Ricoh 500 G is sexier anyhow.